way through the
woods, but unless we had a boat we could not reach the caverns, or find
our way to the most attractive spots for shell gathering.

Groves's suggestion was met, as might be expected, with rapturous
applause, and by the time that we reached our own Cove, it was decided
that one of us boys should go up to the house to obtain the necessary
permission, whilst, in the meantime, the boat should be got ready for
the sail.

The door of our boat-house was lying open as we came up, and something
of unusual appearance was dimly visible inside.

"The secret!" I exclaimed, running eagerly forward and drawing to light
a beautiful large kite with a wondrous flying eagle depicted on it, and
a tail of marvellous length, together with an apparently inexhaustible
length of string. "Oh, George, this is what you've been making--how
beautiful it is!"

"But maybe you don't guess for whom it's intended, sir; I don't deny the
making of it," said the old man.

"I think I do though," I answered, looking up at his kind, cheery face;
"I think you've made it for me, George."

"Well, you're about right there, sir, and it's been a real pleasure to
me the making of it, being, as it were, somewhat of a sailor's craft, it
having to be driven of the wind, even though it might be said to be more
for land than water."

I heard Aleck say that it belonged rather to the air than to earth or
water in his opinion. Then we took to a close inspection of the eagle,
which we both agreed to be splendid, and became eager for an immediate
trial of its flying powers.

But here, to our surprise, old George did not at once agree. He wanted
to see, he told us, whether he could not make Master Gordon's boat sail
as well as mine. We could have a sailing match, and try which would go
the best, if only we would get out the "Fair Alice;" and so saying he
led the way to my own little boat-house, whilst we followed in
speechless wonder at the absurdity of the proposition.

"As if he could set my boat to rights in a few minutes!" said Aleck to
me incredulously.

"Here, Master Gordon," continued George, making pretended difficulties
at the lock; "you had better open the door yourself, sir."

Aleck stooped down to do so. "Why, George!" he exclaimed, "it's as easy
as possible; what _did_ you make such a fuss about? But--oh--what a
beauty! Willie--Willie--look!" and so saying, he drew forth a
beautifully made little vessel, about the same size as my "Fair